Rangers 14, Blue Jays 3: Nelson Cruz hit a grand slam and tied a career high with eight RBIs, and host Texas knocked out Toronto starter Brandon Morrow in the first inning of the series opener.

The Rangers put baseball’s best offense on display early, sending 11 hitters to the plate in a first inning that ended with Texas holding a 6-0 advantage. The Rangers finished with 18 hits.

Adrian Beltre’s single to right scored Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus to put the Rangers ahead 2-0. Cruz delivered the big blow, a bases-clearing double to right-center that plated Beltre, Michael Young and David Murphy to put the Rangers ahead 5-0.

Mitch Moreland’s single to center scored Cruz to make it 6-0 and end the night for Morrow (5-3) after two-thirds of an inning. The Toronto starter gave up five hits and six runs, walking three while throwing 44 pitches.

Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton added his major-league-leading 19th homer leading off the second, a solo shot to right off Carlos Villanueva. Yorvit Torrealba hit his first homer of the season in the third, a shot homer off Villanueva.

Cruz blasted a grand slam in the seventh off Jason Frasor. He finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

Texas starter Derek Holland (4-3) cruised, allowing just one run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings. Holland struck out nine and walked one, throwing 75 of his 105 pitches for strikes.

Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion ended the shutout with a solo homer in the sixth, his 15th homer of the season. Jose Bautista added a two-run single in the eighth inning.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cruz also drove in eight runs against Toronto on July 22, 2011. ... Toronto C Jeff Mathis pitched the eighth. Mathis gave up a hit and a walk but no runs. … Villanueva struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings of relief. … Torrealba was not in Texas’ original starting lineup, but Rangers C Mike Napoli was scratched with an upset stomach. … Toronto placed OF Ben Francisco on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring.